Fluorogenic Thorium Sensors Based on 2,6‐Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid‐Substituted Tetraphenylethenes with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics

Abstract

A novel fluorescent sensor based on tetraphenylethene (TPE) modified with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDA) that shows aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for thorium recognition with remarkable fluoresence enhancement response has been synthesized. This sensor is capable of visually distinguishing Th(4+) among lanthanides, transition metals, and alkali metals under UV light. Th(4+) can be detected by the naked eye at ppb levels owing to the AIE phenomenon. The sensor showed high selectivity for Th(4+) compared to all other metals tested, and this recognition displayed good anti-interference qualities. This study represents the first application of a AIE fluorescence sensor in actinide metal recognition and it has potential applications in environmental systems for thorium ion detection.

Bioinspired cobalt molecular electrocatalyst for water oxidation coupled with carbon dioxide reduction

“…It has been proved that there are carboxylate bridges in the OEC Mn 4 CaO 5 complex of the biochemical system. [19,20] Moreover, pyridinedicarboxylate is an aromatic ligand with five potential donor atoms and strong electron donating ability, which has been extensively applied in various research fields such as biological research, [21,22] magnetic chemistry, [23,24] gas storage, [25] luminescent sensors, [26,27] and catalysis. [28] Particularly, transition metal complexes constructed by the pyridinedicarboxylate ligand exhibit high potential in catalytic water oxidation and CO 2 reduction, because the special nitrogen donor and rich oxygen donor in the ligand are capable of reducing the redox potential and stabilizing the catalyst.…”

Aggregation-induced emission active tetraphenylethene-based sensor for uranyl ion detection

“…Nonetheless, reports on the determination of radioactive metals using AIE-based sensors are very rare. Recently, our group reported an AIE-based sensor based on tetraphenylethene modified with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid for thorium detection [15].…”

Tetranuclear oxido-bridged thorium(iv) clusters obtained using tridentate Schiff bases

“…As Th(IV) is non-emissive, the emission can be assigned to a charge transfer state within the coordinated organic ligands. 44,[79][80][81][82][83][84] Tetravalent thorium has a 5f 0 configuration. All of the electrons are spin paired in this electronic state and emission is not expected.…”

“…The development of "turn-on" or "turn-off" fluorescent sensors for Th(IV) is an area of intense interest due to their potential use for thorium analysis/identification in nuclear waste investigation. 44,[82][83][84]…”